Wilson Shenanigans

[zm1283]

So in October I bought a new Wilson Titanium from one of the umpire suppliers. (Won't mention which one yet) I put the Wendy's pads on it and I have really liked it so far.

I was working a high school game last week and a pitch was thrown in the dirt, went over the catcher, and hit me in the mask. I didn't think anything of it until I looked at it after the inning and the TOP horizontal bar was bent right in front of my right eye. The frustrating thing is that the pitch couldn't have been thrown harder than about 72.

I called Wilson on Thursday and explained what happened. They told me to email pictures and a copy of the receipt and they would let me know. I did so on Friday of last week, then followed up on Monday but they didn't know anything yet. (The guy I talked to had sent it on to the "protection department") I get an email late this afternoon basically saying that they won't cover it under warranty because bent frames are part of normal wear and tear.

I was not a happy camper, and I'm going to call them back in the morning for two reasons: 1) Plenty of people on here have talked about having Wilson masks replaced when they get dented, and I know a guy locally that got a replacement Wilson HSM when the frame was dented, and 2) I explained on the phone and in the email what had happened, and they jacked around with me for nearly a week. Shouldn't the guy I talked to know the policy when I told him about what happened?

For those of you that have had masks replaced by Wilson: What am I not saying or doing? Have they changed their policy? Am I just going to have to get sideways with them? If they won't replace it, I am going to bend it back into place and let them know they have a lawsuit coming when it snaps some time.

[Marcus6]

So in October I bought a new Wilson Titanium from one of the umpire suppliers. (Won't mention which one yet) I put the Wendy's pads on it and I have really liked it so far.

I was working a high school game last week and a pitch was thrown in the dirt, went over the catcher, and hit me in the mask. I didn't think anything of it until I looked at it after the inning and the TOP horizontal bar was bent right in front of my right eye. The frustrating thing is that the pitch couldn't have been thrown harder than about 72.

I called Wilson on Thursday and explained what happened. They told me to email pictures and a copy of the receipt and they would let me know. I did so on Friday of last week, then followed up on Monday but they didn't know anything yet. (The guy I talked to had sent it on to the "protection department") I get an email late this afternoon basically saying that they won't cover it under warranty because bent frames are part of normal wear and tear.

I was not a happy camper, and I'm going to call them back in the morning for two reasons: 1) Plenty of people on here have talked about having Wilson masks replaced when they get dented, and I know a guy locally that got a replacement Wilson HSM when the frame was dented, and 2) I explained on the phone and in the email what had happened, and they jacked around with me for nearly a week. Shouldn't the guy I talked to know the policy when I told him about what happened?

For those of you that have had masks replaced by Wilson: What am I not saying or doing? Have they changed their policy? Am I just going to have to get sideways with them? If they won't replace it, I am going to bend it back into place and let them know they have a lawsuit coming when it snaps some time.

Check your PM

[zm1283]

I saw it, thanks for the info.

I called them this morning and the guy I am dealing with said he left a message for the person who decided they were not going to replace it and that one of them would call me back. Haven't heard anything yet. I should just go straight to the people you mentioned in your PM.

[boyinr]

This is why I bought an All Star TI. The All Star mask is lighter and stronger than the "other" brand of titanium mask frames on the market. Some people will say this is "designed" to happen in order to protect the wearer from excessive forces. All frames will dent at some level but no product should be damaged during normal use.

[yawetag]

no product should be damaged during normal use.

Define "normal use" in the scope of an umpire's mask.

[SanDiegoSteve]

^^^Getting hit by less than 100 mph fastballs.

[scrounge]

Sometimes, if a ball is traveling at just the right velocity and hits at just the right angle, a dent may not be the worst thing in the world. After all, the alternative is that all that force is transferred to your head. I'm not saying a pattern of dents is good, but a handful of anecdotal stories shouldn't be considered disqualifying.

[johnnyg08]

I got a dent in what I think is the same place you describe by a ball traveling at about the same speed.

Fortunately for me, I got mine replaced, but interestingly enough the dents occurred in about the same place by the same velocity.

[zm1283]

I ended up getting the mask replaced. They sent a new one via FedEx on Tuesday and I got it yesterday and used it. It took a little more arm twisting than I expected after what I had heard on here about Wilson's replacement policy, but at least it got done.

[zm1283]

So I have had the replacement mask for two months (Got it at the end of April), and noticed yesterday before a game that it has been dented as well. I have only seen pitching over 80 about three times since then. The dent is not significant, but it it still frustrating. I may just eat it and buy an All-Star for next season. The low profile Wilson Titanium I had got drilled a lot and was never dented.

[Jocko]

Sounds like you need better F2s :)

[catsbackr]

I have had a couple of Wilson masks replaced. I think your mistake may have been going to the manufacturer and not to your supplier.

My suppliers have always replaced the masks.

[semper_fi_72]

no product should be damaged during normal use.

Define "normal use" in the scope of an umpire's mask.

If your mask bends it is distributing the force away from your head.

Complain about a mask bending.

I will be happy when mine bends and save some trauma to my head.

Replacing a mask or cage on a HSM is cheaper then doctor visits and lost game fees.

[SanDiegoSteve]

I think I used to have a pair of Wilson Shenanigans a long time ago.

[justwin]

i dont know about all u guys and ur wilson mask problems. i have never bought anything wilson except the platinum chest protector that i wore once and sold the next day cause they are made for umpires that are short or dont care if they get their ribs cracked. i have been hit this year in the mask with good shots around 90mph and never felt a thing and absolutely nothing whatsoever happened to my silver diamond with my 1993 doeskin reach leather pads. also i have that same reach mask i bought at honigs in the 1992 with the tan pads that are one my diamond now. i have worn that reach mask maybe 400 times or more and it has been hit with high velocity fastballs and to this day not one dent..the frame has someblemishes from the black coating with a minimal crack here and there..200 bucks for a wilson mask that does not stand up to the pounding of baseballs for at least 2 years is not worthy paying 20 bucks let alone 200bucks. remember wilson and all those big name brands in general are good products but are very overpriced cause of the advertising and licensing fees they pay mlb. the old clunker heavy masks do the job but are really heavy.. i have never worn a mask that weighed over 23 ounces . that is my reach mask with tan doeskin pads . it weighs 23 ounces and has been very good mask as has my old pos match which is in retirement.lol..i have read about concussions with diamond mask and their own pads buy a few guys here.. there is a guy who has worn the diamond mask with their stock pads and has been beat up with shots to the head the last three years and he swears by the maks and the flimsy pads. i myself wore them two games and changed them with my reach doeskin pads. i dont know what to say but im very skeptical with all these titanium masks, escpecially the wilson ones. anyways those guys with the wilson titanium masks good luck and hope ur masks dont dent on u..i my friends are very happy with my diamond and champro super lite masks

[JaxRolo]

Not to be negative but 90mph and don't feel a thing? How is that possible!

[justwin]

what i mean is u feel the impact but but nothing that gives me a headache or injures me..and the masks i have thus far have never dented whatsoever..maybe im lucky thus far...upcoming game maybe i ll get a dent but up until now thank god no injuries whatsoever while getting his in the mask.. i do approximately 150 games a year with approx 100 behind the dish..

[RichMSN]

Actually, if Jim Kirk is reading this, I'd like to ask this question.

I believe I bought my Wilson Titanium from Ump-Attire.com. I could be mistaken, but I don't think I am. I bought it 2 years ago, I think.

In the course of those two seasons, I think I've had 5 or 6 baseballs off the mask. You know how it is -- we wear a mask and think about how it feels, how heavy it is, etc. but we rarely take a baseball there. Normally, it's a glancing blow that spins the mask off and we don't think twice until the direct shot that comes straight back and leaves a mild concussion and dents the mask.

So my mask got dented. I never once, not for a minute, thought that I could get Wilson to replace the frame. But then I hear report after report of people getting replacements and I wonder if I should've asked. I've just bought a new helmet and a new mask from Ump-Attire.com and I'm happy with the purchases, but If I can get a frame replaced, I can always use it as a back-up or find a local up-and-comer who could use better equipment.

I'm guessing you could tell me, Jim, if I bought it from you and when and if you think you could help me with Wilson. I will say this -- I specifically avoided buying this mask again because of the fact that it cost $200 and I feel I'm one foul ball away from the same thing happening again.

[rth54]

I'm pretty sure that the Wilson warranty is for one year from purchase.... But Jim would know better.

[Marcus6]

I'm pretty sure that the Wilson warranty is for one year from purchase

Yep thats true

[BT_Blue]

And Jim thanks you for your business. ;)

[JimKirk]

Actually, if Jim Kirk is reading this, I'd like to ask this question.

I believe I bought my Wilson Titanium from Ump-Attire.com. I could be mistaken, but I don't think I am. I bought it 2 years ago, I think.

In the course of those two seasons, I think I've had 5 or 6 baseballs off the mask. You know how it is -- we wear a mask and think about how it feels, how heavy it is, etc. but we rarely take a baseball there. Normally, it's a glancing blow that spins the mask off and we don't think twice until the direct shot that comes straight back and leaves a mild concussion and dents the mask.

So my mask got dented. I never once, not for a minute, thought that I could get Wilson to replace the frame. But then I hear report after report of people getting replacements and I wonder if I should've asked. I've just bought a new helmet and a new mask from Ump-Attire.com and I'm happy with the purchases, but If I can get a frame replaced, I can always use it as a back-up or find a local up-and-comer who could use better equipment.

I'm guessing you could tell me, Jim, if I bought it from you and when and if you think you could help me with Wilson. I will say this -- I specifically avoided buying this mask again because of the fact that it cost $200 and I feel I'm one foul ball away from the same thing happening again.

Rich, typically manufacturers will replace any gear, including masks within a year of purchase. They don't like to replace dented frames but they will.

Manufacturers admit that they do not make frames that are bend-proof, and yes, some do indeed bend more frequently than others. It doesn't happen often on most masks but it can happen, especially on metals that give less. And titanium, depending on the alloy used, is a more rigid metal than steel.

Wilson, for instance, has a customer care line you can call should that happen. It is 800-333-8326. My advice is that if you call and leave a message and don't receive a reply, to call again.

If I can assist you further Rich don't hesitate to send me a PM at jim@ump-attire.com. I certainly appreciate your business.